Cyclone hits island

NADI. Cyclone Evan has battered Fiji with 200km/h winds, cutting power and water supplies in the northern region. Thousands have taken refuge in evacuation centres and airlines suspended flights on Monday.

The military government warned Evan could be the most destructive cyclone to hit the island since 1993. Government spokeswoman Sharon Smith-Johns said the cyclone was moving towards Nadi and had intensified a little, with winds of up to 200km/h.

Ms Smith-Johns said 3500 people are in evacuation centres. She said the lack of early casualties was encouraging but people could not be complacent. ''We've had a week to prepare for this, so we're as prepared as you can be,'' she told Radio New Zealand.